Sioux City, IA - The Sioux City Explorers used another fifth inning rally to lead them to a 6-1 series opening win over the Cleburne Railroaders.

The Explorers got on the board in the first inning as Michael Lang singled, and Nate Samson reached on a walk. Jay Baum brought home Michael Lang on a base hit with Lang evading the tag at home plate. Nate Samson would score on a double steal making it 2-0 Sioux City.

That was enough run support for Explorers starter Taylor Jordan. Jordan (8-2) was dominant in his start as he set down the first eight Railroaders that he faced. Jordan picked up the win as he went 6.2 innings, allowing just one unearned run, on 4 hits, walking just 3 and striking out a season high 8 batters.

Cleburne got their lone run in the top of the fifth as Alex Polston lead off with a double. He would advance to third on an error and score on a sacrifice fly by KC Huth making it 2-1 Sioux City.

The X’s though used another big fifth inning rally to expand their lead over the Railroaders. Dylan Kelly got things started with a base hit. He would score on a Daniel Jackson triple, Jackson’s first of the year. Lang brought home Jackson with a base hit to make it 4-1 Sioux City. Samson reached on a base hit. Lang scored on a fielders choice by Jose Sermo and Samson scored on a Dexture McCall single to make it 6-1 X’s.

Sioux City has now put together rallies of three runs or more in their last four out of five games, total of 16 runs combined in those rallies.

The bullpen came in in the top of the seventh as Ryan Flores pitched an inning and a third scoreless and Dominic Topoozian made his first appearance for the Explorers and tossed a perfect ninth inning.

Sioux City and Cleburne will play game two of the four game series on Tuesday with first pitch set for 7:05.